Hey, I noticed the tensioner on the 90 Formula jerking back and fourth. I was wondering if it needs to be replaced. In person, it seems worse compared to the video.

http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...t=Lance002.flv

 

well it is normal for the tensioner to move when the engine is revved but your belt seems to be in need of replacement... the marks on the top of the tensioner help determine how much the belt has stretched or that it is to long... a shorter/new belt will take most of the movement out of the tensioner

 

I agree. Replace your belt.

 

I was told the belt was replaced last summer with a Napa brand.

Here is a picture of the tensioner while the motor is not running. Are the marks supposed to be aligned? What do the marks on the bottom to the right mean?

 

If that belt was replaced, then it's too long. That far left mark is the mark indicating replacement. The marks to the right are where you want to be.

 

Here's a better video.

http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...t=MVI_5905.flv

 

It will always wiggle around a little bit, but you need a new belt (of the proper length). You're only a few degrees from hitting the limit of it's travel. And since it's not pushing on the belt at the proper angle for which it was designed (and not with enough tension since it's almost bottomed out) the combination of those two things is probably why yours is shaking around a smidge more than most.

Like Viprklr said- you want it to be floating up around the 3 closely spaced hash marks when it's running, not that one way at the bottom.

 

Thanks everyone. I'll try to find out what belt size is on it now when it's replaced.

I am curious though, how do you know when the tensioner needs replacement?

 

when it swings like a californian

 

The big indicator for me was when a new belt was squeaking for no apparent reason out of the blue. Replaced the auto tensioner and all probs went away.